
1108 



THE AISNE AND 

MONTDIDIER-NOYON 

OPERATIONS 



WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE PARTICIPATION 
OF AMERICAN DIVISIONS 



Monograph No. 13 



Prepared in the 
Historical Section, Army War College 



June, 1922 




WASHINGTON 

GOVERNMENT PWNTING OFFICE 

1922 



Mi^i., ,,.:„., 



Wak Department 

Document No. 1108 

The Adjutant GeneraVs Office 



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N0V23t92? I 



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WAR DEPAETMENT, 

Washington, June ^0, 1922. 

The following monograph, entitled " The Aisne and Montdidier- 
Noyon Operations (with special attention to the participation of 
American divisions) ," prepared in the Historical Section, Army War 
College, is approved and published for the information of all con- 
cerned. 

[A. G. 062.1.] 

By okder of the Secketaet of War : 

JOHN J. PERSHING, 

General of the Armies^ 

Chief of Staff. 
Official : 

ROBERT C. DAVIS, 

Acting The Adjutant General. 

m 



GENERAL SCHEME OF MONOGRAPHS, HISTORICAL 

SECTION. 



(Where a title is given without special mark, the monograph is contemplated 
or in preparation ; a title \vith a single * indicates a monograph completed 
and awaiting publication; a title with two ** indicates a published mono- 
graph. ) 

I. Narrative History of Military Opekations. 

The Major Operations of the A. E. F. (G. O. 83, W. D., 1919.) 
" Cambrai." Monograph No. 5, W. D. Doc. No. 1017, 1920. 
" Somme Defensive and Lys." 
** " Aisne and Montdidier-Noyon. Monograph No. 13, W. D. Doc. No. 
lies, 1922. 
" Champagne-Marne and Aisne-Marne." 

(G) "The 3d Division on the Marne." 
" Somme OiTensive. Oise-Aisne, Ypres-Lys." 
**(«.) "Operations Second Corps in Somme Offensive. Monograph 
No. 10, W. D. Doc. No. 1016, 1920. 
* " St. Mihiel." Monograph No. 12. 

" Meuse-Argonue." 
** "Blanc Mont (Meuse-Argoune-Champagne)." Monograph No. 9, W. D. 
Doc. No. 1010, 1920. 
" Yittorio-Veneto." 
♦"Operations in North Russia, 1918-1919." Monograph No. 11. 
" Operations in Siberia, 1917-1920." 
" Operations in Italy, 1917-1918." 

II. Studies of Services of Supply. 

** " Organization of Services of Supply, A. E. F." Monograph No. 7, 
W. D. Doc. No. 1009, 1920. 
" Replacement of Personnel, A. B. F." Monograph No. 8, 
" Procurement of Supplies, A. E. F." 
" Initial Equipment and Supply, A. E. F." 

III. Special Tactical Studies. 

** " A Survey of German Tactics, 1918." Monograph No. 1, W. D. Doc. 

No. 883, 1918. 
** " A Study in Troop Frontage." Monograph No. 4, W. D. Doc. No. 992, 

1919. 
** " A Study in Battle Formation." Monograph No. 6, W. D. Doc. No. 

1012, 1920. 

V 



VI 

IV. Military Activities in the United States, 

** " Economic Mobilization in the United States for tlie War of 1917." 

Monograph No. 2, W. D. Doc. No. 885, 1918. 
** " A Handbook of Economic Agencies of the War of 1917." Monograph 

No. 3, W. D. Doc. No. 908, 1919. 

V. Histories of Teoop Units. 

** " Outline History of Divisions." 

** " Outline History of Begular Regiments." 



THE AISNE AND MONTDIDIER-NOYON OPERATIONS. 

(With special attention to the participation of American divisions.) 



Page. 

1. Participation of American divisions prior to tlie Aisne operation 1 

2. The Aisne operation 7 

3. Participation of American divisions in tlie Aisne operation 14 

4. The Montdidier-Noyon operation 21 

5. Participation of American divisions from the completion of the 

Aisne operation to the assembly for the Aisne-Mame operation 27 

VII 



1. PARTICIPATION OF AMERICAN DIVISIONS 
PRIOR TO THE AISNE OPERATION. 



The German offensive which commenced May 27, 1918, por/ ofcMn a] 
passed the line of the Aisne River successfully and was ^' ^' ^" ^' ^^' 
contained only at the Marne, where American units were 
for the first time engaged in it(l) . It is officially known, ^y.^^o.^'ig^g ^^' 
however, among the major operations in which American 
troops participated, as the Aisne operation (2). It was p^j^^3)Finai_^ Re- 
followed by the strategically unsuccessful German of- ^- ^- ^•' p- ^^^ 
fensive commenced June 9, 1918, on the front between 
Montclidier and Noyon(3). The official Anierican desig- 
nation of this battle is the Montdidier-Noyon oper- 
ation (2). A brief sketch of American participation in 
the war with Germany prior to the first of these oper- 
ations is essential to the understanding of American par- 
ticipation in them. 

The United States entered the war with Germany on secretarT°o'fVar! 

April 6, 1917(4). ''(5)D'ates .of 

The first American troops landed in France on June fionTH.°s. mis! 
26, 1917(5), (6). The first American troops entered the j Jf l^'aSn ot 
line October 21, 1917 (7) . ^^^bIHi^;, IL, 

On March 21 the first great German offensive of 1918, Ifs-^t' ^' ^' 
which had been anxiously awaited for months, was po^ ^o^^a^n g\] 
launched in the Somme region. General Pershing's esti- 19,^5.^"' ^^' ^^' 
mate of the situation at the end of 1917 was that while 
only an untoward combination of circumstances could 
give the enemy decisive victory before an American inde- 
pendent army could enter into the battle, a situation 
might arise which would necessitate the temporary use 
of all American troops in units of our allies for the 
defensive. This situation arose as the result of the suc- 
cess of the March 21 German offensive. Within eight 
days the enemy had crossed the old Somme battle field 
and had pienetrated some 56 kilometers (8). 

On March 21, 1918, the 1st Division was in sector port, 0^111 a, 
north of Toul. The 26th Division had just been relieved and^pia^e 5!* ^^' 
from sector northeast of Soissons, where it had been 
brigaded with French forces. The 42d Division was in 

735—22 2 1 



2 THE AISNE AND MONTDIDIER-NOYON OPEEATIONS. 

the process of relief from sector east of Liineville, Avhere 
it had been brigaded with French forces. The 2d Divi- 
sion had just entered sector southeast of Verdun, where 
it was brigaded with French forces. One regiment of 
the 93d Division was with the French in the Argonne. 
The only other divisions in France were the 41st, which 
was used as a depot division, and the 32d, which was 
originally intended for a replacement division (9). 

On March 28 General Pershing visited General Foch 
at Bombon and placed all American forces at his dis- 
posal (9). 
studj^ol the Ge* ^u March 26, 1918, General Foch had been agreed 
™9T8°G^f''fii4"^^P*^'^ ^s a coordinator of the French and British oper- 
■^■(li)Finai Re- anions (10). This action was confirmed by an agreement 
a°''e°f°' '"sf" signed April 3, 1918, under which the British, French, 
and American Governments conferred on him all of the 
powers necessary to coordinate the action of the allied 
armies on the western front ( 11 ) . 

As requested by General Foch, General Pershing took 

the 1st Division from sector north of Toul and moved it 

into a reserve position back of the Somme battle front. 

(i2)History To permit of this movement, the 26th Division relieved 

26th Div., H. S. ^^... , . ^ loi i. 

226. the 1st Division (9). Command oi the sector passed to 

the 26th Division on April 3(12). The 42d Division 

fiies^,^ G^lf a.°°e! was returned to a division sector southeast of Lune- 

^- ville(9). The 2d Division remained in sector brigaded 

with the French (13). 

On April 25 the 1st Division relieved parts of two 

French divisions on the active front near Montdidier(9). 

(i4)A French Bv April 4, however, the German offensive, begun on 

study of the Ger- J Jr' 5 ? -, i ,^ 

man oflfensives in March 21, had been definitely stopped and the Germans 

1918, G-3 files, ' "^ .■'^^ 

A. E. F. commenced diversions. On April 9 the German Army 

attacked in Flanders. This attack was successful and 
an attempt was made to exploit it, but the effort was con- 
tained by the British army, supported by French re- 
serves. On April 24 the German attack on Amiens was 
renewed, but was contained by French and British 
forces (14). 
(i5)Dates of Bctweeu March 21 and the end of May a number of 

arrival of Divi- '' 

^'Tas?; ^- u^^- American divisions arrived in France and became imme- 

(16) Map show- 
ing operations of diately available for use in emergency. On April 6 the 

American Divs.. '' . . 

G-s files, A. E. 3(i Division arrived. On April 12 the Y7th Division 
arrived and was initially stationed in the British area 
in northern France. On April 28 the 5th Division ar- 



THE AISNE AND MONTDIDIBPw-NOYOlSr OPERATIONS. 3, 

rived. Both the 3d and 5th Divisions went to training 
areas in the vicinity of American General Headquarters 
at Chaumont, around which it had been originally- 
planned to group American forces. The next few divi- 
sions to arrive, however, were grouped back of the Brit- 
ish forces in northern France. These divisions included 
the 82d, 35th, 28th, 4th, 30th, 33d, 27th, and 80th. They 
all arrived in May (15, 16). 

America's active participation during this period was ^ *^JPc^^ a* |* 
limited to the occupation of defensive sectors by Amer- f^' ^l\^^^ ^^^' 
ican divisions already noted as being in line. The most 
serious sector engagement within this period was the 
German raid in force on the 26th Division at Seicheprey 
on April 20(17). 

The infantry attack was preceded by an artillery bom- 26th^Div^°'Ap? 
bardment, which commenced at 2.50 a. m., April 20(18). gf^^ \^^| ^^ 
The German raiding forces, drawn from the 259th In- o^^^Msf^'^w 
f antry and reinforced by special storm troops, advanced ^gi|' ^^- gf ^^^ 
at about 5 a. m. The strength of the infantry actively ^- ^'- ^• 
committed to the raid was about 1,200, although other 
troops were naturally engaged. The attack, delivered on 
a front of about 3 kilometers from the eastern edge of 
the Bois de Remieres west, overran the advanced troops 
in sector, and by about 6 a. m. penetrated into Seicheprey, 
a distance of over a kilometer. Here it was checked by 
the resistance of units of the battalion of the 102d In- 
fantry stationed in the town. The attacking German 
troops were driven out of the town and retired to de- 
fensive positions just north of the town, which they held 
throughout this day (19). 

The 26th Division was at this time under tactical com- 
mand of the French 32d Corps. At 2,45 p. m., April 20, 
the commanding general of that corps ordered an Amer- 
ican counterattack for that evening. The corps orders 
were later changed to prescribe the time for the counter- 
attack as 4.45 a. m., April 21. The officer designated to 
conduct the counterattack received his orders at mid- 
night April 20(19). He arrived at the headquaTters oi ^^.^^XiT'int 
the regiment designated to counterattack at 2 a. m,, April ^g gf^; l^^§^ 
21. Runners were immediately sent out to the com- ^• 
panics designated to counterattack with orders for assem- 
bly and attack. At 4.05 a. m. two of the attacking com- '-'^ 
panics were not yet in position and the commanding 
officer designated called off the counterattack on his own 



4 THE AISNE AFD MONTDIDIER-lSrOYON" OPERATIONS. 

responsibility. Patrols were immediately sent out to 
clear up the situation and the commanding officer of the 
battalion of the 102d Infantry that had been holding the 
sector principally involved succeeded in reocciipying the 
trenches taken by the raiding party at 5 a. m. The Ger- 
mans held none of the ground gained and suffered con- 
siderable losses (20). American casualties were also 
26tf mv^'ipr' heavy, in the neighborhood of 400. This included 183 
fife's, A^^E. F?~^ prisoners, whose capture was immediately reported in 
Memodesf 19U- the German communique (21). Although the raid was 
do^rfff ' pp.^^609^ reported as a successful operation by the German High 
*^°' Command, it was acknowledged that it proved the fight- 

ing ability of the American soldier (21«). 
port o^/a^in c!^ On May 28 the 1st Division made the first American 
A. E. F., p. 32. ^ii^f.1^ jj^ which ground was taken from the enemy and 
held. Coming simultaneously with the successful de- 
velopment of the German Maj^ 27 attack, this operation 
had an excellent effect (22). 
n6ral^''No'!'^^66o^ The attack of the 1st Division developed from a larger 
ioe^corp| d^^r"! project. On May 6, 1918, the French 10th Army Corps 
1918, H. s. flies. ]^r^(j relieved the French 6th Army Corps in the corps 

sector in which the 1st Division was holding (23). 
3 ^lo^^o ^A^^^4 Immediately on entry into sector the 10th Corps initi- 
fiies' ^^^^' ^' ^' ^^^^ ^ project for a future attack by the 1st Division and 
two French divisions, to protect the flank of a proposed 
offensive of the French Third Army on the front from 
253'3?io«°c. l^Montdidier east, and directed north (24). While this 
s 'files ^^^^' ^" operation was not carried into effect, an operation 
planned for the 1st Division as a preliminary was. This 
latter operation contemplated an attack by one infantry 
regiment of the division, supported by the 1st Field 
Artillery Brigade and a heavy concentration of French 
artillery, and assisted by French auxiliaries, to seize and 
hold the heights about Cantigny(25). In approving the 
project of this attack, the commanding general, French 
347/3, is^Armge! First Army, contributed French Army artillery to the 
s. flies! ' ■ attack and insisted on an extreme artillery prepara- 
tion (26). 
Army Bulletin, The Cautiguy Operation was immediately preceded by 
si^mlry' of In- the rcpulse on the morning of May 27 of a small German 
tormaHon.^G. H. ^^-^ ^^^ ^ detachment of the 272d Kegiment of the Ger- 
june 7, 1918. jjj^g^j^ Q^d Rescrvc Division, which held the sector oppo- 
site the 1st Division. The raid was a complete failure, 
and most of the detachment, including the commanding 
officer, were killed (27). 



THE AISNE AKD MONTDIDIER-NOYON OPERATIONS. 5 

The American attack was made on the morning of g^^(^8^)Ba^tue3, 
May 28. The 28th Infantry advanced at 6 .45 a. m. and s- flies 193-35. 
reached its final objective at Y.25 a. m. It advanced 
from 300 to 600 yards on a front of 2,200 yards, taking 
the fortified village and the heights of Cantigny. It 
captured 5 officers and 220 men. Its material captured 
included two trench mortars and four heavy machine 
guns. The position taken was consolidated and held 
under very heavy artillery bombardment and in the face 
of numerous counterattacks (28). Total American casu- 
alties were 1,067 (28a). These losses, however, were not ^.(28a)skeieton 

" \ ' ' History 01 Uivi- 

believed to be as heavy as those of the enemy, who, m ^om, g-s mes, 
addition to the prisoners taken, lost heavily in their 
defending and counterattack troops. The units engaged 
were the 28th Infantry ; the 1st Field Artillery Brigade ; 
the 1st, 2d, and 3d Machine Gun Battalions; Company 
D, 1st Engineers; 2d Battalion, 18th Infantry; a bat- 
talion of French tanks ; a section of French flame throw- 
ers; and various French artillery units. The 1st Bat- 
talion, 26th Infantry, holding the sector immediately south 
of the 28th Infantry, also suffered from the bombardment 
and met and repulsed a part of the counterattack (28). 

A report made by the French liaison officer, attached ^^ ^oaJ,f ^ j™^n* 
to the 1st Division, iimnediately after the Cantigny oper- f/^^^^y'i/- uiyi; 
ation, is of particular value. This experienced staff May' 24, 1920. 
officer was close enough to the division to be cognizant of 
the details of its action; in fact, he had assisted in the 
preparations of the plans for the operation. He was far 
enough removed from the division to see the operation 
from an unprejudiced point of view (29). 

A partial translation of the report in question is as (3o)Report of 

-•■ Liaison Officer 

follows* with the 1st Div., 

May 29. 1918, H. 

The attack of the 1st Division/ with three battalions of the s. files. 
28th Infantry, on Cantigny took place yesterday, May 28. 

The troops were put into position during the night of the 27th 
and 28th under favorable conditions, the enemy artillery being 
less active than in the preceding nights. 

At 3.45 a. m. destructive fire and neutralizing fire on enemy 
artillery by our heavy artillery commenced. 

From 5.45 a. m. up to 6.45 a. m., which was the hour of attack, 
the artillery engaged in the destruction took up the actual 



1 Organization of 1st Division : 1st Infantry Brigade — 16th Infantry, 18th Infantry, 2d 
Machine Gun Battalion ; 2d Infantry Brigade— 26th Infantry, 2Sth Infantry, 3d Machine 
Gun Battalion ; 1st Field Artillery Brigade— 6th Field Artillery, 7th Field Artillery ; 5th 
Field Artillery (heavy), 1st Trench Mortar Battery; 1st Machine Gun Battalion; 1st 
Engineers; 2d Field Signal Battalion ; 1st Division trains and military police (31). 



O THE AISFE AND MONTDIDIER-NOYON OPERATIOZsTS. 

'. preparation, which consisted in a very heavy bombardment * * * 

w^ith a particularly heavy concentration on Cantigny. 

Throughout the preparation the enemy artillery reaction w^as 
very weak. * * * There was practically none on the jumping- 
ofC trenches. At the hour of attack, the 28th Infantry advanced 
in perfect formation. The battalion of tanks, which had ap- 
proached without any trouble, led the attack. 

The advance proceeded normally, without being troubled by the 
enemy artillery, which did not lay down a barrage. The only 
obstacles to infantry were some machine guns in the zone of 
attack, Vv^hich were put out of action quite easily with the help 
of tanks, and from machine guns in position * * * to the 
right * * * and to the left which caused losses in the flank- 
ing battalions. 

Between 7.45 and 8 a. m. the final objective was reached. The 
tanks withdrew without incident. 

The enemy artillery, whose action had been negligible during 
the preparation and the execution of the attack, commenced to 
act more vigorously from 8 a. m. 

In addition, enemy units during the morning commenced to 
come up the valleys. * * * 

In the afternoon, the enemy fire became very intense, and at 
4 p. m. attempts at counterattacks were made from the Bois de 
Framicourt. They were broken by the combined fire of artillery 
and infantry. 

At the end of the day, in spite of enemy action, and the serious 
losses suffered by the 28th from bombardment, the conquered 
line had been maintained throughout. 

The number of prisoners counted were 2 officers and 220 men 
The enemy had had heavy losses, first by the artillery prepara- 
tion, then during the attack from the American infantry and 
the tanks. The two battalions that occupied the front attacked — 
one battalion of the 271st and one of the 272d — can be considered 
almost annihilated. 

On our side the relatively light losses during the attack had 
been greatly augmented during the day. At noon they were esti- 
mated at abou.t 1,200 dead and wounded. At present the division 
has no exact figures on the losses suffered, but they appear quite 
heavy. 

American infantry which attacked for the first time proved 
50^ Ort^irms', itself as dashing in the attack as obstinate in defense. 
Divisional ' Index The officers of the French tanks, who saw the work of the 
files, G-1, A. E. ^j^^gj.j(,^^ infantry, praised it very highly (30). 



2. THE AISNE OPERATION. 



On May 27, 1918, the Germans made a great attack (32)Finai ro- 
on the Aisne front (32). a. e. f'., p. 33.' 

The general situation has been indicated above. Even Memones^^^ Yu-"^ 
after the losses of the Picardy and Flanders offensives, '^endorg, p. gu. 
the German Army was still a powerful offensive ma- 
chine (33). On May 27 the allied strength on the west- (34)Prench 

^ ■' ... „ . ^ Order of Battle 

ern front was 206 divisions, of which 116 were in line, ^ap, Map Room 
This included 16 American divisions, some of which had f. 
just arrived (34, 35). They were approximately double j"g operations of 
the strength of the average French, British, or Ger- f^-ap Room mesi 
man division (36). The German strength was 211 (36)a study in 
divisions, of which 126 were reported in line prior to the pp- 7, 8, w. d! 

. D. 992. 

concentration for the new offensive (34). The strength ' (sr'iweekiy 

«-,... .-, • n 1,1 Graphics of Per- 

or divisions varied even m the same army, and the num- sonnei, 191s, g- 
ber of divisions Can not be taken as an exact index of (3s)Finar Re- 
strength (37). British losses had been heavy and they a/e. f.' pp. 26- 
were unable to replace them entirely. The French had 
extended their front to meet the emergency of March 21 
and had sent reinforcements to the British during the 
Flanders battle. French reserves were greatly reduced 
(38). Both nations counted largely on the arrival (39)Message 
of American troops to meet further German of- isters of Great 
fensives(39). The principal concentration of American and itaiy, ^Knai 
troops was in the British area, where seven divisions were a. e. f., 'p-^28." 
newly arrived. There was a secondary concentration in 
the Lorraine training area in northeastern France (35). 
In general, it may be said that the moment was favor- 
able for a great German attack, in that the Germans 
had secured the initiative and still disposed of large 
trained and formed reserves. Not only was the mo- 
ment favorable, but, in view of the steady flow of Amer- 
ican troops to France, it was imperative that a great 
attack should be made in order to force a decision before 
the balance of power on the western front passed to the 
Allies. 



8 THE AISNE AND MONTDIDIER-NOYON OPERATIONS. 

(40)" My War ^he Aisne operation had been planned at German Gen- 

Memones, Lu- ■"■ • i -i mi 

dendorff, pp. 614- era! Headquarters since early m April, iiie primary 
purpose was to attract allied reserves south, thereby 
enabling a return to the project of separating French 
and British Armies by a push to the channel, subse- 
quently defeating the British Army. The German High 
Command hoped to reach the line of the Aisne at Sois- 
sons and the Vesle at Fismes, on which a front could 
be established threatening Paris (40). 
(4i)Reiief ^he Aisue front, heretofore popularly known as the 

map, western ' re p i i • c 

front, map rooms, Chemiu des Damcs front, offered favorable terrain lor 

War College. ' i i • i i /-< 

such an operation. Wooded country behind the Ger- 
man front lines served to conceal concentration. Only a 
short stretch of difficult country would have separated a 
new front on the heights south of the Vesle from, the old 
(42)Finai Re- Qj^gj^in des Damcs front (41). On the other hand, the 

port, O. m C, ^ ' Pill 

A. E. F. Marne salient, which was actually formed by the ex- 

ploitation of success, was inherently weak (42). Be- 
tween the Vesle and the Marne was a long stretch of 
broken highlands, sparsely inhabited and difficult for 
communications (41 ) . 
stu/^ ot the Ge* '^^^^ Gcrmuu command had concentrated artillery and 
?!f-,"o°^-f"o'''l?'" munitions on this new offensive front in the weeks that 

1918, G— 3 file«, 

A- E- F. i^acl passed since the stabilizing of the March 21 offensive. 

The concentration had been so gradual that it obviated 
any unusual railway activity which might serve to indi- 
cate the coming offensive. The troop concentration was 
dit'^or^'Bat^ie begun only on^May 20(43). Previous to the concentra- 
rnX'S a.°°e! tion there were but seven German divisions in sector 
^' from just west of Reims to just west of Anizy (44). The 

German mass of reserve was held in the rear areas, re- 
covering from the effect of the March 21 offensive, in 
which most of them had participated. They were gen- 
erally in the vicinity of St. Quentin-Vevins-Sedan, from 
which they could readily be moved west for a fresh 
offensive in Picardy or south for the contemplated of- 
fensive in Champagne (43, 44). Forty-one German divi- 
sions were made available for the attack. Most of these 
divisions moved into the theater of operations by night 
marches which concealed the concentration. A few divi- 
sions were moved up by train at the last minute. Front- 
line and support divisions occupied designated positions 
on the nights of May 25-26 and 26-27, the attacking divi- 
sions moving up from only a few kilometers back of the 
line (43). 



THE AISNE AND MONTDIDIEE-NOYON OPERATIONS. 9 

The plan of attack included : Memo^ri'e^^ \Z 

(a) Attack of the German Seventh and First Armies ^5^^°'"^' p- ^^^ 
on a front extending from Anizy to the region south of 
Berry-au-Bac, against the general front Soissons-Fismes- 
Reims. 

(h) Prolongation of the front of attack; on the right 
across the Ailette toward the Oise, on the left, to Reims. 

(c) Attack of the German Eighteenth Army west of 
the Oise directed on Compiegne(45). This last phase (46)id.,p.633. 
was ultimately developed into the semi-independent 
Montdidier-Noyon offensive (46). 

The Seventh Army (von Boehn) had a zone of attack 
from Berry-au-Bac northwest. It had available 25 divi- 
sions, of which 15 were in line. The First Army (von 
Below) had the zone of attack from Berry-au-Bac south- 
east. It had for the attack six divisions, three of which 
were in line. The remaining divisions employed were 
in general reserve or only made available later. The 
methods of concentration, preparation, and attack 
closely followed those which had been successful in the 
great March 21 offensive (43). 

The plan of defense had been prescribed by French ^.j^^^^^) J "^|^t'"^^ 
General Headquarters for this as for all other portions [a"4'\jnur °* 
of the French front. It included the disposition in ^^"y^g'^- °- ^°^^ 
depth of units in defensive sectors and the stationing be- 
hind the line of reserve divisions held within striking 
distance of the front as counterattack elements (47). 
Since the attack on this front came as a surprise, no other 
dispositions to meet it had been made. 

The French command succeeded in discovering only indtcitions"onhl 
the most indecisive indications of a great attack up to orMay°27fT9i8! 
May 26. A prisoner captured on the morning of that s^ix^i Iray.'^sup'^ 
day eventually gave convincing details of the impending ma^^°of* intent 
attack, and the alarm was sent out by the French Sixth f^'^E. ^f.,^'ji?i'^ 
Army at 3 p. m. This was too late to take proper pre- ^*' ■^^^^v 
ventive measures. The imminence of the attack was con- 
firmed by observed movements of formed German troops, 
as large as a regiment, close to the front at dusk (48). 

The front attacked was held by the French Sixth Army, der^of ^b afu"* 
whose sector excluded Reims but included Anizy. From ^^^p^-^^^Ip ?°'^ 

•^ flies, G— 8, A. E^ 

east to west the holding units were the French 45th Divi- f- 
sion; British 9th Corps, including the 21st, 8th, and 50th 
Divisions; the French 11th Corps, including the 22d, 
21st, and 61st Divisions. Available reserves were : The 

735—22 3 



10 THE AISNE AND MO]SrTDIDIER-]SrOYO]Sr OPERATIONS. 

French 13th Division in rear of the 45th Division, the 
British 25th Division in rear of British 9th Corps, and 
the French 157th Division in rear of the 11th Corps. 
Other French reserves which were more distant but still 
available were the 154th Division at Epernay, the 4th 
,,„,- ^ Colonial Division at Dormans, the 74th Division at Sois- 

(50)1, o n d o n ' 

Jj™^?r '^'®*°'7 °^ sons, and the 39th Division at Vic (49). The character 

the War, volume „ . 

20, p. 322. of this front may be seen by the fact that the British 
units in sector had been sent there to rest and reorganize 
Fren h ^^^®^ participation in the March 21 operation(45, 50). 
study of the Ger- Xhc infantry attack was preceded by a comparatively 

man Offensives of . "^ . .^ j c ,; 

i9i|' C!-3 flies, short aud very violent artillery bombardment. In the 
neighborhood of 4,000 guns were used by the attacking 
force. The bombardment on the most active front began 
at 2.40 a. m., May 27. There was a large use of gas 
shells, particularly directed on allied batteries, posts of 
command and observation, and rear areas. A rolling 
barrage preceded the infantry attack up to the Aisne; 
box barrages were also used in certain areas (51). 

The formation adopted in general in the German of- 
fense was with two regiments in line and one in reserve, 
each regiment with two battalions in line and one in 
reserve, each battalion with two companies in line and 
two in support. At 3.40 a. m.. May 27, the infantry 
attack of the Seventh Army commenced. On the right 
of the attack two divisions debouched from the forest 
of Pinon in the direction of Vauxaillon and Laffaux to 
cover the flank of the center of the attack by occupying 
the heights above Leuilly. These divisions did not ob- 
tain this objective until the end of the day. They en- 
countered strong resistance about Chavignon and Pargny- 
Filain. At the cost of heavy losses they succeeded in 
passing the Chemin des Dames and advanced on Vailly 
and Chavonne(51). 

The attack was most violent and successful in the cen- 
ter. The attacking divisions had each a front of only 
S kilometers. They succeeded in following closely the 
rolling barrage and reached the Aisne before noon (51). 

The German left flank conformed to the advance of 
the principal attack. It crossed the Aisne-Marne Canal 
and progressed to the west of Cormicy in spite of the re- 
sistance of British divisions (51). 

At noon the Aisne was crossed and the front was ap- 
proximately Vauxillon — east of Vailly-St. Mard-Bouf- 
fignereux-Cormicy — west of Brimont(51). 



THE AISNE AND MONTDIDIEK-NOYON OPERATIONS. 11 

Dnrin<»: the rest of the day the advance continued. On 
the rioht flank Vailly was occupied. In the center the 
Germans reached the Vesle, taking Bazoches. On the 
night May 27-28 the Germans held the heights north 
of the Vesle and were preparing to cross(51). The Ger- commun^i^u^c" 
man communique of May 28, which reported their line as ^^^ '^^' evening. 
on the heights north of the Vesle, also reported the cap- 
ture of 5,000 prisoners (52). 

The German High Command decided on the exploita- 
tion of the success. This was planned to involve a pene- 
tration to the Marne, in the center of the attack, with 
both flanks of the attack extending the scope of the oper- 
ations. The German right flank was charged with the 
capture of Soissons, an important railway junction, and 
an advance into the great woods of Villers-Cotterets. 
The German left flank was charged with a similar action 
against Reims and the wooded region south of that city. 
These operations involved the entry into battle of four 
fresh divisions on the German right flank and two on 
the German left flank. They also involved making ulti- 
mately available for the attack four more divisions, one 
of which would not be available until June 5. The 
attack, then, which was opened with 31 divisions, in- 
volved 41 divisions (51). 

On the dav and night of May 27 all the available , ( ss) French or- 
French and British divisions in the vicinity of the Aisne Maps, Map Room 

■^ . files, G-3, A. E.. 

front were involved in the fighting with the exception f. 
of the French 4th Division at Dormans(53). 

On May 28 the concentration of French divisions con- 
tinued. Troops as far away as the 10th Colonial Divi- 
sion, just west of Toul, and the 154th Division, just west 
of Amiens, were brought into the rear areas threatened 
by the success of the German offensive (53). 

On the night of May 27-28 the German center crossed 
the Vesle (51). During the day of May 28 the German communique^ 
attacks were violent on both flanks, and, on the German ^^^ 29, morning. 
right flank, reached the outskirts of Soissons (54) . In the 
center the Germans reached the heights south of the 
Vesle. The line on the night of May 28, from east to 
west, was marked approximately by the towns Muizon, 
Crugny, Bruys, Venizel, Vauxaillon(53). 

On May 29 the German center advanced from 8 to 10 study of th/c'er- 
kilometers. On the flanks the allied resistance wasigYs, G-s'^flies) 
stronger and German progress was sloAver(55). On the ^" " ^' 



12 THE AISNE AND MONTDIDIEK-NOYOISr OrERATIONS. 

night of May 29 the line ran from the outskirts of Reims 
north of the Fere and Riz forests to the outskirts of 
Soissons(53). 

The concentration of French reserves continued, the 
93d Division being moved in from north of Amiens (53). 

On May 30 the German advance continued, with thie 
greatest success in the center. The German right flank 
was held in the vicinity of Soissons. The German left 
flank was held in the vicinity of the wooded region south 
- of Reims, the Montagne-de-Reims. The approximate 
line on the evening of May 30 from east to west was, west 
of Ville en Tardenois-Jaulgonne and the Marne, almost 
to Chateau-Thierry, thence north to Oulchy(55). 

The French concentration went on, the ICYth Division 
coming in from the Vosges sector (53). 

On May 31 the Germans increased their gains on the 
Marne and in the direction of Paris. That part of 
Chateau-Thierry north of the Marne was occupied and 
Neuilly St. Front was taken. The German flanks, how- 
ever, were held west of Soissons and southwest of 
Reims (55). 
(o6)EVench Or- ]gy j^]^[g ^jj^^e the great German attack had begun to lose 
fliir'(>^3^ a"T ^^^ force, and the French had practically succeeded m' 
P- ' ' establishing a defensive line. On June 1 the French 
order of battle from west of Reims to west of Soissons 
was : The 5th Corps with three divisions in line, includ- 
ing the British 19th Division; the 1st Colonial Corps 
with three divisions in line; the 38th Corps with two 
divisions in line, including elements of the American 3d 
Division; the 21st Corps with two divisions in line; the 
7th Corps with three divisions in line; the 11th Corps 
with three divisions in line ; and the 1st Corps with five 
divisions in line. The American 2d Division was still in 
reserve (56). On June 1 the principal effort of the Ger- 
man attack was on the German right flank in an effort 
to penetrate the forests of Villers- Cotter ets. This effort 
was, however, utisuccessful. On June 2 the effort of the 
German right from north of Soissons to Chateau-Thierry 
<57)French^as coutiuued (55) . On this day there was fighting in 

communique, ^ ' "^ c n i 

June 8, morning. ^}^e viciuity of Bouresches (57) . The German left flank 
was held between Reims and Dormans(55). 

On June 1 German attacks on the front Anthenay- 
Ville-en-Tardenois-Vrigny and in the vicinity of Fort 
de la Pompelle, east of Reims, were checked with heavy 



THE AISNE AND MONTDIDIER-NOYON OPERATIONS. 13 

losses. Keims was almost encircled but remained in 
French possession, and the Montagne de Reims was also 
held by the French (55). On June 2 the French Order 
of Battle Map first showed the American 2d Division in 
the front line, northwest of Chateau-Thierry (53). On 
June 3 the only German advance was in the vicinity of 
Cutry and Dommiers, southwest of Soissons. The fight- ,,„,„. , „ 

1 T-.-T/ ^ /. (58)Final Re- 

mg was heavy and gains lmiited(55). On the night of po^, o. in c, 
June 3-4 the slackening German offensive may be said 
to have been definitely stopped (58) . The German troops 
had suffered greatly in a deep advance over country 
which rendered supply difficult (55). 

Further German attacks were discontinued. Despite Memories,"^ lu- 
the undeniable success of the offensive, the German High elo. '^ '^^' 
Command felt the German troops had suffered heavy 
losses, especially in the latter days of the offensive. The 
German High Command also felt that an advance fur- 
ther to the west was necessary to achieve any decisive ; • 7 
results in this region. Consequently, the Montdidier- 
Noyon offensive was decided on (59). 

The success of the German offensive on the Aisne was 
due very largely to the fact that surprise was secured. 
It showed the same characteristics as that of March 21, 
The initial attack was planned in great detail. The 
exploitation of success was limited by the resistance en- 
countered. In general, attack was broken off in case of 
resistance and reserves were employed only in regions 
where the attack was successful, to exploit the suc- 
cess(55). 

735—22 4 



3. PARTICIPATION OF AMERICAN DIVISIONS 
IN THE AISNE OPERATION. 



General Pershing's estimate of the situation in the 
Marne salient at the time of entry of American troops 
into the battle is interesting. In a cable to the War De- 
partment, written during the most trying moments of the 
operation, he gave the situation as follows : 

tia/^^ble! A. ^E. The arrival of the enemy's troops on the. Marne and their estab- 
w' rf°®*!!*^ f lishment from the vicinity of Chateau-Thierry to Verneuil, on the 
June 4, 1918, H. night of May 29 to 30, definitely marks the end of the first phase 
S. files. ^j ^jjg Aisne ofi'ensive. The enemy had secured, by the first 

stroke, a tactically important objective — a defensive flank on the 
Marne — and possessing a strategically important objective, the 
control of our main line of lateral communication with Verdun. 
Thus, in about three and one-half days from the time of the origi- 
nal attack, the reason for directing the axis of the attack straight 
south ceased to exist. 

Since the night of May 29 to 30 the direction of the attack 
has changed pronouncedly to the southwest. To this must be 
added the operations to the northwest of Soissons which began 
on the night of May 30 to 31, the general direction of which is 
also southwest. It seems clearly established that so long as the 
enemy is allowed to retain the initiative his future operations 
will be directed on Paris. The situation in the salient Noyon to 
Reims is important. 

The keys to the transportation systems of the salient are the 
rail and road centers, Soissons and Reims. Without these the 
enemy vtall be confronted with difficult transportation problems, 
involving the use of motor trucks on the 16 roads, for the most 
part cross-country roads, now available to him. The possession 
of Soissons has proved an enormous relief to the enemy, since, 
by means of it, from Rethel and Laon, he can reach every sector 
of his new lines. Nevertheless, the enemy's transportation situ- 
ation can not be satisfactorily adjusted until he has taken Reims ; 
hence the recent heavy attack on this important center (60). 

Memories/'^ ^Lu- This estimate of the situation coincides with that of 

S^'^^-PP-^^^'-Ludeiidorf, as expressed after the war (61). 

It was on the road to Paris that American units first 

met the German advance. 
14 



THE AISNE AND MONTDIDIER-NOYON OPERATIONS. 15 

The 3d Division^ entered first into line in the Aisne i*'2)Finai Re- 
port of C. in C, 

operation and its participation will consequently be given "^^H]^^ g^tNo 
first (62) . 50. Oct. so, iqis] 

On May 27 the 3d Division, less its artillery brigade files, g-i, a. e. 
and engineer regiment, was in the Chateaiivillain train- ■(64)Speciai 
ing area not far from American General Headquarters de?rand Ltruc- 
at Chaumont. The division had practically completed sTo^n , May 27, 
the first period of its training and was ready for entryG^3!fiie3,'A. e. f! 
into line, although it had not yet been joined by its field 
artiller}^ brigade. On May 28 the commanding general 
of the division had left the training area for the sector 
occupied by the 26th Division north of Toul, preliminary 
to a relief of the 26th by the 3d Division. He was re- 
called to his division the same day (64). 

On May 30, 1918, the chief of staff, A. E. F., con- 
firmed in writing orders placing the 3d Division, less 

. , . . -, -,. . . p (65)Letter 

elements not m the training area, at the disposition of chief of staff to 

. commanding gen- 

the general commanding the French Group 01 Armies eiai, sd Division, 

May 30 1918 

of the North. In the same document it was noted that General corre- 
the division would probably be used to hold the passages s, a. e. f. 
of the Marne between Epernay and Chateau-Thierry. It 
was also noted that the French Army would furnish 
transportation on May 30 or 31(65). 

On the same date the French Group of Armies of the 
North assigned the division to the French Sixth Army, 

^ . '^ ' (66)Report of 

which in turn assigned it to the French 38th Corps (66). operations, June 

rrti n • c i t • • n i >^ n 23, 3d Division, 

The nrst action oi the division was to send the 7th May 30, June 20, 

■»/r 1 • /-( -r» T /I • T T • • 1918' C!-3 files. 

Machine Gun l^attalion (the motorized divisional bat- a. e. f. 
talion) to Conde-en-Brie, iust south of the Marne, to der no. 1, sd di- 

,_, ^/-^^ 1.1 • (.1-v-r 1 /^^T\ vision, May 30, 

report to the French Group 01 Armies 01 the North (67). 1918, c^s aie. 

This battalion left the training area with its own trans- 
portation on the afternoon of May 30. It was immedi- 
ately directed into line, and on the afternoon of May 31 
occupied positions in that part of Chateau-Thierry south 
of the Marne. Its positions were bombarded during the 
night of May 31- June 1, but the battalion remained in 
position, and in conjunction with French troops repulsed 
the German attempt to cross the Marne on the morning 
of June 1. This attack was the high-water mark of the 
German advance in this immediate vicinity (66). 

^ Organization of the 3d Division : oth Infantry Brigade — 4th Infantry, 7th In-fantry, 
Sth Machine Gun Battalion; 6th Infantry Brigade — 30th Infantry, 3Sth Infantry, 9th 
Machine Gun Battalion ; 3d Field Artillery Brigade — 10th Field Artillery, 76th Field 
Artillery, 18th Field Artillery (heavy), 3d Trench Mortar Battery; 7th Machine Gun 
Battalion ; 6th Engineers ; 5th Field Signal Battalion ; 3d Division trains and military 
police (63). 



16 THE AISNE AND MONTDIDIER-NOYON OPERATIONS. 

Div'f^Ma^y^'s^o*! ^' ^- 2, 3d Division, May 30, 1918, covered the move- 
]^^k f7^ ^*^'ment of the remainder of the division to the Chateau- 
Thierry region. It prescribed entrainment of the in-^ 
fantry brigades and designated ultimate concentration 
points (68). 

Beginning the night of May 30-31 the 5th and 6th- 
Infantry Brigades entrained for the Chateau-Thierry 
region, transportation being handled by French authori- 
ties (66). The Division P. C. closed at Chateauvillain 
at 8 p.m.. May 31(64). 

On June 1 these brigades began to arrive in the vicin- 
ity of Montmirail, and move by successively arriving 
battalions up into sectors south of the Marne held by the- 
French 10th and 20th Divisions ( 66 ) . 

Railway communications back of the threatened front 
were very naturally not functioning perfectly. Great 
delay was caused in assembling the division, and even 
units of the division, by changes in the detraining points 
made by French authorities. The Division P. C. which 
F. O. 2, 3d Division, had ordered established at Conde- 
en-Brie at 8 p. m.. May 31, was established instead atr 
Viels-Maisons(64). 
Divt^^j'u^ne'^i^ F. O. 3, 3d Division, June 1, 1918, prescribed the use 
i9i|' ^3 files, Qf i\^Q division on arrival in the Chateau-Thierry region.- 
The 6th Brigade, less the 4th Infantry, passed to the 
command of the French 20th Division on the right. 
Brigade P. C. was at Conde-en-Brie. The 6th Brigade,. 
less the 30th Infantry, passed to the command of the- 
French 10th Division on the left. Brigade P. C. was at 
Courboin. Division headquarters at Viels-Maisons held 
in reserve the 4th Infantry and the 30th Infantry. This 
divisional reserve formed a part of the reserve of the- 
French 38th Corps (69). 

Only a few units of the division were immediately 
employed in combat. On June 1 the 3d Battalion, 7th 
Infantry, together with units of the 8th Machine Gun 
Battalion went into line south of the Marne in the vicin^ 
ity of Courthiezy, near Dormans, where it remained six. 
days. On the same date one company of the 9th Ma- 
chine Gun Battalion went into position in Chateau- 
Thierry (66). On June 2 the 2d Battalion of the 30th 
Infantry was attached to the French 4th Cavalry Divi- 
naii-e^^oftprf^e', siou and moved to Saulchery, on the Marne (64) . It par- 
H?s.' fliS* ^^^' ticipated with French troops in the fighting in the vicin^- 



THE AISNE AND MONTDIDIER-NOYON OPERATIONS. 17 

ity of Hill 204, north of Bonneil(69«). On June 4 the 
7th Machine Gnn Battalion returned to the division from 
Chateau-Thierry (64). If the German attack be consid- 
ered to haA-e been halted by June 4, the participation of 
the 3d Division has been covered. (7o)Report or 

On May 30, 1918, the 2d Division ^ was in the vicinity t^e m^ Dgision 
of Gisors, northwest of Paris, preparing for entry into "eau^Th'erry.^cf- 
an active sector ( 70 ) . ' ^^^'- ^- ^•' ^'-^ 

It was to relieve the 1st Division in a sector west of 
Montdidier. It had already sent out billeting parties 
and issued orders for the march north when, at 5 p. m., 
orders were received putting it at the disposition of the 
commanding general, Group of Armies of the North, 
and ordering its movement to the vicinity of Meaux. 
The infantry was to be moved in French trucks, the rest 
of the division by rail. The movement of the infantry 
units began at 5 a. m., May 31; that of the other units 
at 5.30. The field artillery brigade moved by railroad, 
but, on account of lack of transportation, the infantry 
and machine-gun trains made the trip by marching. The 
3d Infantry Brigade and the 4th Marine Brigade arrived 
in the vicinity of May-en-Multien on the afternoon of 
May 31. The last infantry unit arrived at 11 p. m.(70). 

At 7.40 p. m., May 31, F. O. 5, 2d Division, had issued, j^ff^li^'/'if^ 
It recorded passage of the division from cormnand of the ^'^^ ^s aiea, 
French 7th Corps into reserve of the French 21st Corps, 
designated Montreuil-aux-Lions as Division P. C, and 
indicated concentration points for the units of the divi- 
sion in the vicinity of Montreuil-aux-Lions (72). 

It was evident, however, that the French defense was 
in a fluid state, incident to the formation of a new line. 
Upon leaving the trucks* the division had been directed 
by the French command to move into position between 
Gandelu and Montigny-L'AUier, northeast of Meaux. 
At 8 p. m. orders were received while the division was 
en route designating the position between Neufchelles 
and Eoucrois, with headquarters at May-en-Multien, 
for occupancy by the division. Just after midnight, May 
31- June 1, new orders were received from the French 

2 Organization of the 2cl Divison : 3d Infantry Brigade — 9th Infantry, (71)ReportNo. 
23d Infantry, 5th Machine Gun Battalion ; 4th Marine Brigade — 5th *^ Oct. 30, 1918. 
Marines, 6th Marines, 6tli Machine Gun Battalion ; 2d Field Artillery q_i gjgg- ^ g' 
Brigade — 12th Field Artillery, 15th Field Artillery, 17th Field Artillery F. 
(heavy), 2d Trench Mortar Battery ; 4th Machine Gun Battalion ; 2d Engi- 
neers ; 1st Field Signal Battalion ; 2d Division trains and military 
police (71). 



18 THE AISNE AND MOETDIDIEE-NOYON OPERATIONS. 

command directing an emergency concentration of the 
division in the area about Montreiiil. This placed the 
division on the Chateau-Thierry-Paris road, along 
which the German advance was continuing (YO). 

By a forced march the troops arrived just after day- 
break, passing a stream of refugees and French troops. 
The 9th Infantry went into position south of the Cha- 
teau-Thierry-Paris road at le Thiolet. The 6th Marines 
Avent into position with two battalions in line and one 
in support north of the Chateau-Thierry road from le 
Thiolet through the Clerembauts wood to Triangle. They 
were supported by the 6th Machine Gun Battalion. 
These positions were taken in support of scattered French 
troops. The remainder of the division was held in re- 
serve. During the day the troops had occupied their 
positions and scattered French units passed through them 
from 7 p.m. (70). 

At 6 p. m., June 1, F. O. 6, 2d Division, was issued, 
Div^^''ju°iie'^i!P^'^scribing and confirming the dispositions which have 
^918, G-3 fliesi already been seen to have been taken. Headquarters of 
the French 21st Corps were at Champigny. A front 
marked by Essomes-Monneaux-Bouresches and extend- 
ing toward Belleau was held by French troops. The 
support line occupied by the 2d Division was described 
as Bonneil-le Thiolet-the Chateau of Belleau (73). The 
reient of c^hPres- line, however, actually ran between Lucy-le-Bocage and 
o^stafflTd Dh^! BcUeau Wood, and was consequently well to the west of 
July 15, 1920. ^^^^^ ^j^^ Chateau and town of Belleau (73a). The 3d 
Brigade held from Bonneil to le Thiolet, both inclusive, 
the 4th Brigade extending to the northwest. Division 
reserves were the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines; 2d Bat- 
talion, 23d Infantry; 4th Machine Gun Battalion; and 
2d Engineers. Concentration of the 2d Field Artillery 
Brigade was ordered in the vicinity of Cocherel(73) . 
By midnight June 1 this brigade had been detrained 
Brig., Dec. ' 19; in tlic viciuity of-Crepy, and by the night of June 2 

1918 (Spec. Re- ^ "^ ^ . , ^ '. . . ^ ^ i ^/n^\ 

port, 2d Div., had concentrated m the vicmity 01 Cocherei(74). 

May 31, July 9, , .-,.■, t ^ ^ , t i 

1918), G-3 files, At midnight June 1-2 the commanding general, 

^" (75) Report of French 21st Corps, notified the division that a gap of 

on the fighting nearly 4 kilometers existed in the vicinity of Gandelu 

teau- Thierry, G-tind that a German attack could be expected at any 

' ■ ■ ' time. To fill this gap, early in the morning of June 2 

the 23d Infantry, the 1st Battalion of the 5th Marines, 

the 5th Machine Gun Battalion, and one company of 



a 



THE AISNE AND MONTDIDIER-NOYON OPERATIONS. 19 

the 2d Engineers went into line in the vicinity of the 
Bois de Veuilly and Fremont. These troops were in 
position soon after daylight and passed under command 
of the French 4r)th Division. In the evening the 2d 
Battalion of the 5th Marines went into line from the 
Bois de Veuilly to a point 2^ kilometers northwest of 
Champillon. These troops met and assisted in defeating 
a continuation of the German attack on this day (75). 

By midnight of June 2 elements of the 2d Division 
held a practically continuous line marked by Bonneil, 
le Thiolet, Champillon, Bois de Veuilly, Fremont, Bru- 
metz, although French units were holding isolated parts 
of this line (75). 

At 8 p. m., June 3, F. O. 7, 2d Division, was issued. mv.P^JunJ' t 
It showed the division, less the 23d Infantry, two com- ]^}l[ ^^ ^''^' 
panics 5th Machine Gun Battalion, and one company 
2d Engineers, holding a position from halfway between. 
Bonneil and le Thiolet east of le Thiolet and the woods 
north of that town, east of Lucy-le-Bocage, and along 
the northeastern and northern edge of the Bois de 
Veuilly, between Marigny and Veuilly. The excepted 
elements remained under command of the French 43d 
Division on the immediate left. Both infantry brigades 
were in line, the 3d Brigade, on the right, extending to 
include le Thiolet (76). 

The 2d Division had up to this time been supported 
only by French artillery, but on the night of June 3 
the 2d Field Artillery Brigade moved into position in 
the vicinity of la Voie du Chatel-Coupru and began to 
deliver a heavy harassing fire (74). 

Throughout the day of June 3 the division had en- 
trenched and consolidated its position under shell fire. 
On the night of June 3 all French troops in advance of 
the position passed through it to the rear, and the divi- 
sion as a unit held the front line. Command passed to 
the commanding general, 2d Division, at 8 a. m., June 4, 
and included elements of dismounted French cavalry on 
the extreme right of the divisional sector (75). 

If the German offensive be considered to have been (77)Letter 
dennitely stopped by June 4, the participation oi the 2d corps, jum s, 
Division has been covered. Its conduct in meeting the correspondence, 

^~ , , , . T i -r> • • I -\ ,1 ^'^ Division, 0— 

German attack on the mam road to Fans excited the s mes, a. k. f. 
most favorable comment. On June 3, 1918, the com- 
manding general, French 21st Army Corps, under which 
the division was operating, wrote to the commanding 



20 THE AISNE AND MONTDIDIER-NOYON OPERATIONS. 

general of the French Sixth Army, under which the 21st 
Corps Avas operating, that the unexpected arrival and 
conduct under fire of the 2d Division had created a favor- 
able impression; that arriving after a hard night's 
march on a heavily shelled front, it had advanced 
without stopping (77). 

By the time that the 2d Division entered into combat 
in the Aisne operation the German flood that had swept 
over the Chemin-des-Dames on May 27 had dwindled to 
a stream that was moving only southwest toward Paris. 
Notwithstanding the fact that it had been contained by 
French forces on both flanks and that in the Chateau- 
Thierry region it had naturally lost its original force^ 
it was still moving when the 2d Division deployed across 
the Paris road and brought it to a complete halt. 

The entrance of a fresh American division into a deci- 
sive battle at such a vital point was dramatic. It natu- 
rally drew to the division more attention than was given 
to many gallant French and English divisions that had 
fought through the heat of the battle. 

The incident of the 2d Division's participation was 
very beneficial to allied morale as exhibiting the value 
(78)ist ind., of American divisions. General Bliss, American Mem- 
report of Col. ber Supreme War Council, wrote General Pershing on 
to General Bliss, July 1, 1918, that he had heard frequent remarks from 

L* G n G r 3. 1 corrc- ^ •/ / / ± 

spondence, 2d Di- Frcuch officcrs of all ranks, French civilians, and British 

vision, G— 3, A-,, . ,iit(.,i,i» 

E. F, files. colleagues, expressmg the belief that the American 
troops in the vicinity of Chateau-Thierry stopped the 
German drive and possibly saved Paris (78). 



4. THE MONTDIDIER-NOYON OPERATION. 



On June 9, 1918, the Germans attacked the front from (79)Finai Re- 

-..-,. -v-r ,^ ■. port, C. in C, 

Montdidier to Noyon (79) . a. e. f., p. 34. 

The ovlj material change from that existing on May 
27 in the general situation at the beginning of the Mont- 
didier-Noyon operation was the successful development 
for the Germans of the Aisne operation. The German der^of^B auTe 
Army still possessed an available mass for maneuver. On ^i^f '(^|p ^°°e' 
June 9 there were 212 divisions in the German armies on ^■ 
the western front, of which 151 were identified as being 
in line (80) . On the same date there were 208 allied divi- i^^^artidpidrn 
sions on the western front, of which 125 were in line. ^^^^^^ 'J " ^°^j^ 
The total number of allied divisions included 18 Amer- ^^^' ^-^' -^- ^- 
ican divisions, which have been seen to have approxi- 
mated double the strength of divisions of other armies. 
Eleven of these American divisions were not in line. It 
can thus be seen that much of the available allied reserve 
consisted of newly arrived American divisions (80, 81). 
The French and British reserves were scattered in nor- 
mal defensive formation back of the fronts held by the 
respective armies (80). The principal concentration of 
American divisions was still in northern France back of 
the British area, and the number of divisions there had 
been increased to ten. The secondary concentration of 
American reserve divisions in the Lorraine training areas 
had disappeared, these divisions being utilized in the 
Aisne operation or on other parts of the French 
front (80, 81). Before the Montdidier-Noyon attack 
started, steps had been taken to move some of the divi- 
sions in reserve in rear of the British down into support 
positions on the threatened French front (80, 81). 
General Pershing consulted with Field Marshal Haig on 
this matter on June 3, and five American divisions were (82)Finai Re- 

' port, 0. in C, 

released from the British area for this purpose (82). a. e. f., p. 33. 

This movement had not, however, been started on June 

9(81). 

21 



22 THE AISNE AND MOWTDIDIER-NOYON OPERATIONS. 

The Montdidier-Noyon operation was undertaken as 
a continuation of the Aisne operation. It was designed 
to complete the outflanking and subsequent capture of 
the forests of Compiegne and Villers-Cotterets which 
lay between the Oise and the Marne Rivers. A success- 
ful operation involving the capture of these woods would 
Memories!"'*' Tu- ®^^^^^^^^ ^ ^'^^^ frout cUrectly threatening Paris (82). 
dendorff, p. 639. 'pj-^g clecisive stroke which the German command must 
deliver before the arrival in overwhelming force of 
American troops could then be directed either southward 
into the heart of France or westward to the channel to 
c. ^fn a^A.^ e' separate the British and French Armies (83) . The great 
26' ms^t- ^0^' June- July movem.ent of American troops from the 
States was well under way and the contemplated arrival 
of these troops, incompletely trained as they were, war- 
ranted the use of all the older divisions in the confidence 
commun[qVe"that rcserves were not lacking (84). However, the actual 
June 11, evening, arrival of fresh American divisions had been almost 
offset by allied losses in the May 27 operation, where 
the Germans claimed to have captured 65,000 prison- 
ers(85). 
Montdi^ier^-°No- The terrain over which the German attack was made 
Eoom!™war coi^ ^^^ neither particularly favorable nor unfavorable to the 
^^** attacking force. The eastern half of the ground at- 

tacked consisted of a massif of wooded, cut-up hills 
southwest of ISFoyon, and was very difficult ground. 
There were, however, wooded areas back of this front 
sufficient for the concealment of concentrations. The 
western half of the front attacked southeast of Mont- 
didier was favorable ground for an attack. It was quite 
open rolling country. The two natural gateways to 
Paris from the northeast and east are the Marne and the 
Oise valleys. The operation of May 2Y had given the 
Germans a flank on the Marne and they were already 
astride the Oise. If the Montdidier-Noyon operation 
was successful enough to result in the capture of the great 
woods between the Marne and the Oise, the Oise gate- 
way to Paris was open to the German Army. The ter- 
rain was favorable to communication and supply. A 
main road leading to Paris ran directly through the cen- 
ter of the front of attack, while on the left flank of the 
German attack roads and railroads in the Oise valley 
were favorable to the communication and supply of an 
attacking force. Compiegne was an important road and 
railroad junction (86). 



THE AISNE AND MONTDIDIER-NOYON OPERATIONS. 23 

The German plans for the Montdidier-Noyon oper- Memories/^ T,u- 
ation included an attack by the Eighteenth Army on the %f°Qii'^'^- ^'^^' 
front between Montdidier and Noyon with Compiegne 
as the first objective. Tliis attack Avas to be seconded by 
an attack of the Seventh Armj^ in the vicinity of Sois- 
sons from the western face of the Marne salient (87). 

The German Eighteenth Army (von Hutier) included der^of^Batu'e 
tlic Montdidier-Noyon front. Prior to June 9 there ^,|p;'q^|p ]^^°°™ 
were eight divisions in line on this front. Immediately •*■ 
in rear of this front there was considerable concentra- 
tion of rested German divisions within easy marching 
distance. This naturally indicated the probability of an 
attack on this front. Opposing the German Eighteenth 
Army was the French Third Army. It held the front 
from east of the Carlepont Woods northeast of Com- 
piegne to east of Montdidier. It had in line from east to 
west the 12th Corps with two divisions, east of the Oise ; 
the 2d Corps with two divisions ; the 34th Corps with two 
divisions; and the 35th Corps with three divisions. On 
the left of this army was the French 10th Corps, part 
of the French First Army. This corps held the front 
immediately south and west of Montdidier with the 
French 60th Division and the American 1st Division in 
line. Immediately in rear of the French front lines were 
five French divisions in reserve. There were also six 
more divisions in reserve in the rear areas back of the 
front held by the French Third Army (88). 

Definite information as to the impending attack, in- to Report 0^0!)^ 
eluding the exact date, was obtained by the French supe- "6\^h"^'Divisk)n, 
rior headquarters and communicated to the command ^"(9o^)RepOTt" of 
prior to June 9(89), and the command was prepared s^eTh'^DivLTn^ 
to meet it (90). 'f^efdk n.'t 

The battle was opened by an intense German artillery ^"^ff/R^port of 
preparation, which began at midnight June 8-9 and to^gf ronfidentia! 
covered the whole front from west of Montdidier to QSist ^^^^I'^'^j^^l^ li^ 
of the Oise. There was an extensive use of gas, both ^^(^9|)F-r^enc^h 
chlorine and mustard. There was neutralization fire on j°n™^'J^orni"ng.' 
batteries with phosgene and mustard gas. Along the 
roads shrapnel was used and the front positions were 
shelled with gas and high explosives (91, 92). The 
French artillery counterpreparation was immediately 
increased (92). 

On the left of the threatened French front calls for 
barrage were made as early as 3.25 a. m., June 9, and 



24 THE AISNE AND MONTDIDIEK-NOYOK OPERATIONS. 

at 3.45 a. m. the German infantry advanced (90). The 

hour of the general German infantry attack on the whole 

front from Montdidier to Noyon was given in the 

French communique of that day as about 4.30 a. m.(92). 

Twelve divisions attacked in the first line on this front. 

Seven of them, including the two flanking divisions, were 

divisions which had already been identified in sector. 

Five were inserted, including the attack units composed 

of the German 4th Guards Division, Jaeger Division, 

(ss);- My War and 3d Bavarian Division (88). In spite of the fact 

denXrffT'p- 634." that tlic attack was expected and the French counter- 

Dit^^juim's-e! offensive preparation violent, the attack was partially 

mfnTfuV""^- successful (93, 94). The greatest penetration was some 

June 11, 1918^" 7 kilometers in the center. On the evening of June 9 

communiques the liuc from right to left was approximately Cannect- 

june 9, ^^'^"i^^e-gncourt-Bessons-sur-Matz-Le Fretoy-Rubescourt(95). 

On June 10 the German attack continued. Two fresh 

German divisions were engaged and two additional 

French divisions. German penetration continued for 

some four kilometers on a narrow front in the center. 

The French lines on both wings of the attack held. The 

The French 60th Division held in the western part of its 

sector. The American 1st Division, immediately on the 

(96)F r e n c h i^ft, maintained its lines(88) . On the evening of June 10 

ju^To^e^'elii: the front from right to left was: South of the Thiescourt 

c o m mi'^ f q ul" Woods-Marqueglisc-Mery ( 96 ) . The German attack- 

"'""IsK-ermar. iiig troops had Suffered great losses(97). The German 

jX 10? Tvinrng: command reported 8,000 prisoners taken (98). 

(99)F r e n ch ^^ Juue 11 the Germans had reached the Aronde, but 
junT'"ii"mOTn: on this day the French met the attack with counter- 
ing- ' attack (99). 

(loo)o r d r e Oue couuterattack was delivered by the hastily formed 
Groupemeiit°Man- Groupemeut Maugiu, which was only officially called into 
!918;h!T fills: being at midnight June 10. It consisted of the 35th 
Corps Headquarters, five infantry divisions, two motor- 
ized artillery regiments, one brigade of British auto- 
cannon, and 12 battalions of tanks (100). 
(101) No. i/ An 8-kilometer front was attacked, from north of 
a!?' June°*^ ii', Courcelles-Epayelles to south of Wacquemoulin, on the 
1918, H. s. files, ^.ggtern face of the small salient created by the German 
attack of June 9, 10, and 11. The country was open and 
favorable for attack. Four divisions were in the first 
line ; they were, from north to south, the 129th, the 152d,, 
the 165th, and the 48th. The 133d Division was in re- 
serve. Liaison with the attack was insured on the south 



1 



THE AISNE AND MONTI)IDIER-XOYON OPERATIONS. 25 

by the 11th Division, aheatly in sector. On the north the 
attack Avas covered by an advance of the 3Gth Division, 
already in sector. The lG9th Division, the left division 
of the Third Army, did not participate except to take ad- 
vantage of the attack to regain lost ground; but the artil- 
lery preparation extended along the whole front of the 
right corps of the First Armv, west of Montdidier(lOO), 
(101). 

The artillery preparation on the front attacked began 
at 10.30 a. m., June 11. The infantry attacked at 11 
a. m., less than 12 hours after the attacking unit had been 
formed (100). 

Tiiis counterattack was successful. It reestablished the order"' o"f "^ Battle 
line at approximately Vandelicourt-Marqueglise-St. ^; ^f, I'^'^l 
Maur-south of Belloy (99, 102) . ^• 

V. ' -</^-.r^ rt. • 1 1 1 j_ '■103)The Lon- 

For the first time a German 1918 onensive was held at don Times ms- 

tory of tliG Wfir, 

the height of its success. For this reason some authori- yoi. 20, pp. 336- 
ties look on June 11, the date of the counterattack, as the '""' 
turning point of the war (103) . 

The French, however, evacuated the salient east of the 
Oise formed by the success of the May 27 and the June 9 
German offensives. This evacuation involved the loss 
of the Carlepont woods. The new line was established 
to the south and west of Ilibecourt(99). „n.^L. 

On June 12 fighting on the Montdidier-lSroyon front 'c. mm unique, 

" ^ - June 12, m.orn- 

continued. On the same day the German Seventh Army if?- 
carried out the secondary attack from the western front 
of the Marne salient. The fighting extended from just 
south of the Aisne to iust north of the Villers-Cotterets ,^^,, 
woods (104). Five divisions made the attack, two of 0/ \ infoimation, 

^ ' ' G. H. Q., A. E,. 

which were freshly inserted in line for that purpose, f, J u n e is, 

•^ '- '- 191S, French G. 

The immediate obiective was the Vic-Coeuvres road, the h. q., bulletin of 

■' . June 13, 1918. 

taking of which would drive a wedge between the Villers- 
Cotterets and Compiegne forests. The attack was pre- 
ceded by heavy artillery preparation from 8 to 11 p. m., 
June 11, and from 2.30 to 4.30 a. m., June 12, when the 
infantry attacked. The French artillery counterprepara- 
tion and infantry resistance caused heavy German 
losses (105). By noon of June 12 there was heavy fight- 
ing on the line Dommiers-Cutry (104) . By nightfall the communique, 
^ ..1,-1,1 ^ .1 • 1 J'-ine 13, morn- 

German attack had taken Coeuvres, on the mam road in?. 

leading from -Vic into the Villers-Cotterets forest (106). 

r^ ?■ ■ n T -ic, 1 XT j: (107)French 

On tne morning or June 13, however, the progress 01 communique, 
the attack was checked on the line Coeuvres-Laversine, " ■''""'"^' 



26 THE AISNE AND MONTUIDIEE-NOYON OPERATIONS. 

and the attack was not renewed (107). The attack had 

uemoneJf'^ ^Lu- failed to get through sufficiently to insure the success of 

dendorff, p. 663- ^j^Q main attack on the Montdidier-Noyon front (108). 

By nightfall of June 13 the line had practically stabilized 

from Montdidier to the Villers-Cotterets forest, and on 

Order of Battle Juue 15 the movemcnt northward had commenced of 

fiie^,'''G-3!' A°T French reserve divisions immediately back of the Mont- 

didier-Noyon front (109). 

In view of the success of the French counterattack of 
June 11, which gained ground, particularly in the vi- 
cinity of Mery, and in view of the evident accumulation 
of French reserves, German General Headquarters 
ordered the battle broken off on June 11. This decision 
was confirmed by the failure of the German Seventh 
Army attack southwest of Soissons(108). 
(ixo)Firiai Re- The German offensive between Montdidier and Noyon 

port, C. in C, . . , 

A. E. F., p. 34. was a strategic failure (110). It had not altered the 
strategic situation brought about by the May 27 attack 
of the German Seventh Army (108). 
My^'^"fe,""*von ^J ^h® middle of June, despite the ground and booty 
^64-365!"^°' ^^' gained in its 1918 offensives and the allied losses in- 
cident thereto, the general military situation had ma- 
terially changed for the worse for Germany. The ap- 
pearance of American troops on the battlefield had ful- 
filled allied hopes and disinclined the Allies to com- 
promise. The offensives had made in the German Army 
great gaps that could not be filled ; but German General 
Headquarters saw hopes only in a military victory, and 
felt that it must remain on the offensive (111). 



5. PARTICIPATION OF AMERICAN DIVISIONS 
FROM THE COMPLETION OF THE AISNE 
OPERATION TO THE ASSEMBLY FOR THE 
AISNE-MARNE OPERATION. 



The history of the American active participation dur- 
ing the period June 4-July 14, 1918, is naturally that of 
the divisions in line during this period. From the halt- (ii2)FinaiRe- 
ing of the Aisne offensive, which has been taken as hav- a. e. f.', p. 33.'' 
ing occurred on the night of June 3-4, the 2d Division 
was most actively engaged (112). 

On June 4 this division has been seen in a divisional (ii3)Reportof 

<• T • T T /^t ^ nrn • -i-» • T ^^^ ^^ Division 

iront-lme sector astride the Chateau- Thierry-Paris road, on the fighting 

tji • i> ^ • 1 n • V-i 1 northwest of 

In the morning 01 this day all supporting French artil- chateau -Thierry, 

, .., , • 1 1 . « . from end of May 

lery was withdrawn, with the exception or one regiment to eariy part of 

Julv 1918 P 3 

of French 75's, which was attached to the 2d Field Artil- mes.'A. e.'f. 
lery Brigade. The artillery fired on enemy columns en- 
tering Courchamps and Bussiares(113). 

On the night of June 4^5 the 23d Infantry and attached 
units, which had been detached under French command 
farther north, rejoined the division (113). 

F. O. 8, 2d Division, issued at 10 a. m., June 5, gave (ii4)f. o. 8, 
the occupation of the sector. The division was flanked 1918, g-s eies,' 
by the French 4th Cavalry Division on the right and the 
French 167th Division on the left. It held the line south- 
east corner of the Bois de la Marette-Bois de Clerem- 
bauts-Lucy de Bocage-wood northwest of Lucy — 800 me- 
ters north of Champillon. The battle order from right 
to left was : The 3d Brigade with the 9th Infantry and 
the 23d Infantry; the 4th Brigade with the 6th Marines 
and the 6th Marines. Triangle, which belonged to the 
3d Brigade, was the internal brigade boundary. Each 
brigade had one battalion of the 2d Engineers for re- 
serve. One battalion 23d Infantry was division reserve, 
and one battalion 6th Marines, corps reserve. The 2d 
Field Artillery Brigade with attached French units gave 
artillery support. A French aviation squadron served the 
division (114). 

27 



28 THE AISNE AND MONTDIDIER-NOYON OPEEATIONS. 

On this day a number of local attacks were repulsed 
by the 4th Brigade without great losses (113). 

From June 5 to June 30 no formal field order for 
attack was issued. Nevertheless the division was con- 
stantly engaged in local offensives (112). 

At 3.45 a. m., June 6, one battalion of the 5th Marines 
made a successful attack with the French 167th Division 
in the direction of Torcy. At 5 p. m. the 4th Marine 
Brigade attacked on the line Bouresches-Torcy. Bou- 
resches was taken, but the attack was checked in the Bois 
cle Belleau. The 3d Brigade also advanced its line on 
this date. On June 7 a German counterattack on Bou- 
resches was repulsed (113). 

On June 8, at 1 a. m., both regiments of the 3d Bri- 
gade were attacked. At 1.30 a. m. Bouresches was at- 
tacked. At 4.30 a. m. the 4th Brigade attacked in the 
Bois cle Belleau. This push was continued on June 
9(113). 

At 4.30 a. m. on June 10 the 4th Brigade attacked 
with some success in the Bois de Belleau. On June 11, 
at 4.30 a. m., the 5th Marines attacked in the Bois de 
Belleau, after heavy artillery preparation (113). 

The attacks of previous days had been without proper 
artillery support, owing to a lack of coordination be- 
tween infantry and artillery, and had cost heavy losses. 
The attack of June 11, however, was well executed and 
2d F.'^A.'BnVa7e; successful (115). The Bois de Belleau v/as practically 
fspec. R^'portfad cleared, and some 400 prisoners, 35 machine guns, and 14 
July' 9f^"\9i^8)~ ti^^^'^^^ mortars were taken. At the same time Bou- 
G-3 files, A. E. pesches was unsuccessfully attacked by the Germans, who 
suffered heavy losses (113). 

The German pressure, however, did not relax. They 
infiltrated persistently into gaps. On June 13 there 
was bitter fighting on the front of the 4th Brigade. 
The Germans made attacks on this front, while in the 
afternoon the 5th Marines continued the cleaning out of 
Belleau Woods (113). 
nai-re o'f'^rl^'^e' "^^^ character of the fighting is evident from the 
s^fiies^'°' ^^' ^' following statement of a company commander in the 
5th Marines (116) : 

In the attack of June 11 our left flank had been left wide open 
and the Germans v/alked in, took up a good position, and at- 
tacked us in our rear. We faced our supports about and beat 
them off. On the morning of the 13th we were told that we would 



THE AISNE AND MONTDIDIER-NOYON OPEEATIONS. 29 

have to drive them out. * * * On the 12th I had received 
60 replacements who had never heard a shot before. 

* f * * * * * 

The Germans fought their machine guns with desperation and 
courage and mostly died at their guns. They did not hesitate to 
close with the bayonet and both sides threw grenades that killed 
both enemy and friend. There were absolutely no prisoners taken 
during the heat of the attack and anything on the ground re- 
ceived a bayonet thrust to make sure of death. When the 55th 
and 43d companies pushed the enemy's third line down into a 
ravine and were fighting hand to hand, two German machine guns 
on the far slope opened up on the line, killing as many Germans 
as marines, if not more. 

On June 14 there were upward of 700 evacuations from 
a German Yperite bombardment (113). 

On June 15 the 7th Infantry, 3d Division, was placed 
at the disposal of the 2d Division for relief purposes. 
The next few daj^s were devoted to reliefs, but on June 20 
there were fresh American pushes at various points along 
the front (113). 

On June 21 and June 22 the 7th Infantry, attached to 
the 4th Brigade, made small advances with varying suc- 
cess, and was relieved (113). 

On June 23 the 5th Marines attacked the north tip of 
the Bois de Belleau, still held by the Germans. The at- 
tack was unsuccessful and the commanding officer of the 
attacldng battalion reported that infantry alone could 
not dislodge the enemy. Consequently, on June 25 there 
was very heavy artillery preparation. Following the 
preparation, the 3d Battalion, 5th Marines, cleared the 
woods of Germans (113). 

The front of the 4th Brigade having been secured by g^ diJ.^ Jun^'so', 
clearing the Bois de Belleau, F. O. 9, 2d Division, was ^^^|' p?~^ ^^^*' 
issued on June 30 for an attack by the 3d Brigade on 
Vaux and the Bois de la Roche. The attack was planned 
in conjunction with the French 39th Division on the 
right, but the French division did not push the attack. 
One battalion each of the 9th and 23d Infantry consti- 
tuted the attacking forces. Each battalion was assisted 
by one company of the 2d Engineers and by machine-gun 
units of the division (117). 

Following a 12-hour artillery preparation which was i„fant^ry^'^'^Brig.'! 
completely successful, the infantry attack was launched |g"pg^^ j^^^^j.^^^^^ 
at 6 p. m., July 1. The 9th Infantry was on its objective J^[- ^^\g'^i^ 
at 6.40 p. m.,'the 23d Infantry at 7.30 p. m. The new ^-s files', a. e. f! 
line was consolidated, and withstood a heavy bombard- 



.313 THE AISNE AND MONTDIDIER-ISrOYON OPERATIONS. 

ment of gas and high, explosive during the night of July 
1-2. At about 4 a. m. a counterattack, following a roll- 
ing barrage, was made on the right wing. It was broken 
by small-arms fire and over 100 prisoners taken. The 
total captures were over 600 prisoners and a quantity of 
machine guns and munitions. Immediate losses were less 
than 200(118). 

On July 7 the 26th Division commenced the relief of 
.,,c NO, 7 ^ the 2d Division, which was completed on July 9(113). 

(llSo) Skeleton ■ ^. j \ _/■ 

History of Divi- "While in this sector the 2d Division had suffered 9,777 

sions, G— 3 files, ' 

■^- E. F. casualties. It had captured 1,678 prisoners, 12 trench 

mortars, and 119 machine guns (118a). 
(ii9)FieidOr- Duriug the period just covered the 3d Division was 

Div., June 6. continually in sector south of the Marne in the Chateau- 

A. e'. f. ' Thierry region. Although badly scattered, it was organ- 

ized for defense with the mission of stopping any Ger- 
man attempt to cross the Marne on its front. Its post 
of command was at Grandes Bordeaux Farm (119). 

On June 11 the post of command was moved to 
Chateau la Doultre. The division was still scattered, but 
the division commander was in command of a front of 
some 8 kilometers on the Marne from Mezy to Chierry 
(119). 
(i20)Speciai On Juue 13 the 5th Brigade, including the 4th and 7th 

May 27 to July Infantry, was shifted from the right to the left of the 

e.'f. ' ■ sector of the French 38th Corps, under which the 3d 
Division was operating. The brigade passed to the com- 
mand of the French 10th Colonial Division. Sub- 
sequently, the 7th Infantry passed to the command of the 
2d Division. This transfer was completed on June 
18(120). 

G ^ 3d^ Di^'* June ^^ Juuc 14 the divisiou commander suggested an as- 

c*o r r Is' ^nXnce ^embly of the division to the commander in chief, Ameri- 

fiie, G-3, A. E. F.' can Expeditionary Forces ( 121 ) . 

On June 17 the chief of staff, American Expeditionary 
Forces, answered that the present distribution was neces- 

^j(i22)Letter^. sary and that the commander in chief had the assembly 

to c. "g.," 3d of the division in mind (122). 

Div., June 17 ^ ^ 

and 18, General The assemblv of the division was gradually completed. 

Correspondence ,r\ i • t . « 

flies, G-3, A. E. On the night of June 20-21 it had all of its infantry ex- 
*(i23)Maps 3d cept the 7th Infantry. Each regiment with the division 

Div., Map Room ^ . '' . ° -r-^ -r rs^r ^ 

flies, G-3, A. E. F. had oue battalion m the front line ( 123 ) . By June 27 the 

(123a)State- ,... it-. • ^ i t- 

ment Col. R. H. divisiou was assembled m line with the battle order from 
s.", 3d Div., jufy right to left : 38th, 30th, 7th, and 4th Infantry Eegi- 
'"' '''°- ments(123, 123a). 



TFEE AISNE AND MONTDTDIKR-NOYON OPERATIONS, 31 

Meanwhile, the 1st Division had remained in the^^^'^^'^j^g^^^j*'^'^' 
active Cantigny sector. FoHowing the Cantigny opera- ^- i^s-ss. 
tion, already described, the division was organized for 
defense with all troops in fighting positions from June 6 
to 9, inclusive, in preparation for the Montdidier- 
Noyon operation. The division sustained heavy artil- 
lery fire on the first day of this operation, but main- 
tained its positions. It did not have to meet the in- 
fantry attack, although the division on its right was 
forced to modify its lines. Following this attack there 
was continual raiding. The most important raid was 
that of June 29, in which 33 prisoners were taken by 
the Americans. The division was relieved by the French 
152d and French 166th Divisions, the command passing 
on July 7, 1918. Following relief, the division moved 
by truck and marching to the vicinity of the Marne 
salient (124). 

The 26th Division, which remained in the sector north 26th^DiJ^^H "7 
of Toul during most of this period, was relieved from 22^- 
sector June 28, and moved into the vicinity of the Marne 
salient, relieving the 2d Division, as already noted{125). (i26)Histori- 

The 42d Division was relieved from the Baccarat sec- ^^\ ^"^^pl'b ^^e 
tor in Lorraine on June 21, 1918, by the TTth Division i|19."h- s. i93- 
and moved toward the Chateau-Thierry front. It v\^as ^ o^ofs^^o^s' 
held, however, at Chalons and diverted into a support fg^g*^- ifZvli 
position on the Champagne front, where it served from cor ^^espondei^ 
July 4 to 14 with the French 21st Corps in the French 3, a. e. f. 
Fourth Army (126, 126a). 

No American corps were engaged in active operations ( 127) summary 
prior to the Aisne-Marne operation. American Army 

. ™ C o r p s , H. S. 

The first two corps organized were the 1st Corps and isi-s. 
the 2d Corps. The 1st Corps was organized June 15, 
1918, with headquarters at Neufchateau, not far from 
General Headquarters at Chaumont. On June 21 the 
corps was ordered to La Ferte sous Jouarre, on the Marne 
front, for administrative command of various American 
divisions grouped on that front (127). 

The 2d Corps, whose organization was begun March 19, (i28)g. o. 1, 
1918(128), was created for the command of the 10 divi- 19, 1918.' Jour- 
sions which were brought into reserve positions back of 2d Corps, e. s'. 
the British front in April, May, and early June ( 129 ) . q29) Final Re- 

The period from June 4 to July 18, 1918, was the most a^'Je. f.', p'^ss'.'' 
crucial period of the war. Some authorities give June (i30)London 
11, 1918, the date of the French counterattack in the Mont- Srwa.s'vc!i'^2o, 
didier-Noyon operation, as the turning point (130) . Gen- ^"(isDFimi Re- 
eral Pershing gives July 18 as the turning point (131) . a!'e. f.', p° se.'' 



32 THE AISNE AND MONTDIDIER-NOYON OPEEATIONS. 

fro^m"'*pli^shiD^ '^^^® dominating element in the general military situ- 
25*' liis' ckbie ^^io^^ during this period was not the active participation 
History Miiitarr Qf scattered American divisions, but the potential 

Program, H. S. ..... 

fl^^s- strength of green American divisions arriving and pass- 

ing into reserve (132). 
MemorLv'^ T«- Nowhere was this fact more quickly realized than in 
g^d°g^f^ PP- 609- the German High Command. While Ludendorff had 
found American troops so far encountered generally 
green, he acknowledged their bravery and unshaken 
nerve. He recognized the extreme importance of the 
fact that even the most newly arrived American divi- 
sions were available for the relief of more experienced 
troops in quiet sectors, and that by this fact American 
participation had become the decisive factor in the war. 
By the middle of June he found that the arrival of 
American divisions had wiped out the German numerical 
advantage on the western front and was fearful of the 
effect of these fresh troops on German morale (133). 

Of the combat divisions the 1st, 2d, 26th, 42d, 32d, 
93d, 3d, 77th, 5th, 82d, 35th, 28th, 4th, 30th, 27th, and 
80th have been seen to have arrived in France by May 
31, 1918. The dates of arrival of other combat divisions 
which arrived during the crucial period are given below. 
In order to secure uniformity, the date given is that of 
arrival of division headquarters at a French or British 
port. A period of a week or so, therefore, should be al- 
lowed for before the division can be considered as a re- 
serve unit assembled in France and available in case of 
emergency. 
(i34)Dates of Datcs of arrival were as follows : 78th Division, June 

arrival of divi- ' 

sions, 11. s. files. 5 ^ 89th Divislou, June 16 ; 92d Division, June 19 ; 37th 

Division, June 22; 29th Division, June 27; 90th Division, 

July 7 ; 79th Division, July 15 ; and 91st Division, July 

17, 1918(134). 

(i35)Mapsbow- As it became increasingly evident that the German 

iiig operations of_, . . „ iii 

American divi-eiiort to acliicve victory on the western front would be 
eri) front, Map directed soutliwarcl into France in place of v/estward to 

Room flies G— 3 ... 

A. E." F. ' the Channel, American divisions were moved southward 

from the British area into reserve positions back of the 
threatened front. It has already been noted that on June 
3, following a consultation of General Pershing with 
Field Marshal Haig, five American divisions were re- 
leased from the British rear to be moved south. The 
movement of these divisions was not, however, actually 



THE AISNE AND MONTDIDIER-NOYON OPERATIONS. 33 

begun until the Montdidier-Noyon operation was well 
under way. The five divisions chosen were the 77th, 35th, 
4th, 28th, and 82d. The 77th and 35th Divisions moved 
on June 11 from the British area to a reserve position 
back of the Vosges front. On June 17 the 82d Division 
moved from the British area to a reserve position in the 
vicinity of Toui. - On June 11 the 28th Division moved 
from a British area to a reserve position in the vicinity 
of Ecouen, just northeast of Paris, while on June 12. the 
4th Division moved from the British area to the vicinity 
of La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre, in the area back of the Marne 
front (135). 

On July 11 the 27th, 30th, 33d, 7Sth, and 80th Divisions 
were in training and reserve in the British area. The 
29th, 37th, 89th, 90th, and 92d Divisions were concen- 
trated in the training area around American General 
Headquarters at Chaumont. The 32d, 35th, 5th, and 
77th Divisions were in sector in the Vosges Mountains, 
brigaded with French divisions. The 82d Division was 
brigaded with French troops in the old American sector 
north of Tcul. The infantry regiments of the 93d Di- 
vision were in line with the French in the vicinity of the 
Argonne Forest, under French command (135). 

All other American combat divisions in France were 
assembled or assembling about the Marne salient prepara- 
tory to the Aisne-Marne operation in which American di- 
visions were to play such an important material part. 
The 42d Division was in support position east of Reims. 
The 3d and 26th Divisions were in line in the immediate 
neighborhood of Chateau-Thierry. The 2d, 4th, and 28th 
Divisions were in reserve immediately back of the 
Chateau-Thierry front with elements of the 28th Divi- 
sion in line. The 1st Division was moving south into the 
same vicinity (135). 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




lllillllil 
013 661 804 



STATEMENT OF WORKS, DOCUMENTS, AND PERSONS CONSULTED. 

(IN OKDER OF CITATION.) 

Final Report of Commander in Chief, American Expeditionary Forces. 

General Orders, War Department, 1919. 

Report of Secretary of War, 1919. 

Dates of Arrival of Divisions, Historical Section files. 

Reports of Divisions, Historical Section files 193-.35. 
■ A French Study of the German Offensives in 1918, G-3 files, A. E. F. 

History of the 26th Division, Historical Section files. 

Map Room files, G-3, A. E. F. 

Report of Commander in Chief, Amer'can Expeditionary Forces, cabled Novem- 
ber 20, 1918. 

Reports of 26th Division and subordinate units, G-3 files, A. E. F. 

" My War Memories," Ludendorff. 

Orders French 10th Army Corps, Historical Section files. 

Orders French 1st Army CoiTps, Historical Section files. 

Summaries of Information, G. H. Q., A. B. F. 

Skeleton History of Divisions, G-3, A. E. F. 

Capt. J. N. Greely, F. A., staff officer, 1st Division. 

Report of French Liaison Officer with the 1st Division, May 29, 1918, Historical 
Section files. 

Division Index, G-1 files, A. E. F. 

French Order of Battle Maps, Map Room files, G-3, A. E. F. 

Map showing operations of American divisions. Map Room files, G-3, A. E. F. 

A Study in Troop Frontage, W. D. Doc. No. 992, 

Weekly Graphics of Personnel, G-1 files, A. E. F. 

Map Room files. War College. 

Instructions for the Defensive Use of Large Units in Battle, W. D. Doc. No. 794., 

Suromaries of Intelligence, G. H. Q., A. E. F. 

London Times History of the War. 

Confidential cables, received War Department. 

Field orders and reports, 3d Division, G-3 files, A. E. F. 

Field orders and reports, 2d Division and subordinate units, G-3 files^ A. E. F. 

Answers to Questionnaires of April 6, 1920, Historical Section files. 

General Correspondence files, G-3, A. E. F. 

Answers to Questionnaires of April 6, 1920, Historical Branch files. 

Col. Preston Brown, chief of staff, 2d Division. 

" Out of My Life," von Hindenburg. 

Reports of French 36th Division, Historical Section files. 

Reports of French 36th Division, files Capt. H. L. Hodges, Cavalry. 

Orders, French Groupement Mangin. 

Col. R. H. C. Kelton, chief of staff, 3d Division. 

Summary History 1st American Army Corps, Historical Section files. 

Journal of Operations, 2d Corps, Historical Section files. 

Cable History, Military Program, Historical Section files. 
84 

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.As 



